Europe

Britain & Ireland

Mind the gap! We love an icon, and we love to explore. Britain and Ireland are a gold mine of “pinch me” moments. From visiting Buckingham Palace in London to kissing the Blarney stone, Cosmos Britain and Ireland Tours offer many experiences that are sure to surprise and delight. Take a break in Adare, known for remarkable thatched cottages, and wander the medieval market towns and cities of York and Stratford-upon-Avon. With so much to see and do, take advantage of your freedom and our flexibility. Our Great Britain Tours conquer the must-see’s, with a generous serving of new discoveries for good measure.

Snapshot: Britain & Ireland

Capital

Britain: London // Republic of Ireland: Dublin

Official Language

Britain: English // Republic of Ireland: Irish

Population

Britain: 66 million // Republic of Ireland: 4.8 million

Currency

Britain: GBP // Republic of Ireland: Euro

Time Zone

GMT+1

Drives on the

Left

Popular

Tours

HIGHLIGHTS OF IRELAND & SCOTLAND

DUBLIN EDINBURGH

12 days,2 Countries

From

USD

$1839

$1701

Tour 9030

HIGHLIGHTS OF IRELAND & SCOTLAND

Discover the treasures of Ireland and Scotland on your tour from Dublin to Edinburgh. In Dublin’s fair city, you’ll drive along the statue-lined O’Connell Street, see the elegant Georgian squares with...

From the lively cities to the breathtaking scenery, you’ll discover the best of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland on this in-depth Britain and Ireland tour.
Britain and Ireland...

See O'Connell Street and the Neo-Gothic St. Patrick's Cathedral on a city orientation

Giant's Causeway

Visit Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site

Cotswolds Hills

Travel through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon

Travelling in Britain & Ireland

Best time to visit

There’s no doubt, summer is best for visiting Britain and Ireland. Not only is the weather grand, (although still carry an umbrella, it can still be unpredictable!), but so is the atmosphere as people come out of their own hibernation keen to celebrate the sunshine and all things summer-y. Long days, late relaxed evenings and the sing-song of general celebration and nature blooming are hallmarks of a British and Irish summer. We challenge you not to love it!

Winter (Dec –Feb)
December and January are the wettest months in Britain and Ireland. Take a brolly, those gorgeous green hills aren’t green for no reason. Enjoy the Scottish festivals of Hogmanay and New Year’s Eve. The warmth you’ll experience at both will keep out the chill.

Spring (Mar – May)
March to May is a mix of sunny spells and sudden showers. Expect four seasons in a day - it’s highly likely the day may start rainy and end sunny, or vice versa.

Summer (June - Aug)
Glorious Summer! The season both countries wait nine months of the year for. Even at its warmest you won’t be breaking much of a sweat; temperatures over 25 degrees are almost considered a heat wave. June and July in particular are when there’s a hint of carefree warmth in the air, but without the crowds of August. (just watch for school holidays also in July).

Autumn (Sept – Nov)
It becomes quite cosy as the Winter chill sneakily slides back in. If visiting the countryside around Edinburgh in September, maybe leave the deer antlers at home – it’s hunting season.

Culture and customs

You’ll find the entire region welcoming and polite, yet each region has their own customs, from the traditional music of the Irish recounting tales of love, history and humour, to the physical displays of strapping Scotsmen (catch the log tossing in The Highland Games) to the love of tradition in England, each itinerary stop will bring to life a magical new discovery.

Irish is the national language of Ireland, with English recognised as a second official language. But it doesn’t matter what they’re officially speaking, in any case the lilting, musical accent will carry you away. If looking for the bathroom, in Irish they’re called Leithris, with Fir for males and Mna for females. And if keen to try Guinness the local brew, just ask for a pint of Gat. Absolutely none of this is relevant in Britain, whose citizens sometimes look as quizzically at the Irish as the rest of the world. In Britain, expect to speak “Plain English!” Except it's not. The Brits have so much slang it could send you barmy (mad). And Scotland? Och aye, that’s a whole different dialect altogether.

Money and costs

Ireland and Britain are relatively expensive places to visit, with travel, food and accommodation costs higher than the EU average. Consider buying a cash passport (travel debit card) which eliminates bank withdrawal fees and on-the-spot conversions. Pre load it with currency before leaving home, so you have it readily to use once you reach your destination.

Other FAQs

In this part of the world, adore the explore has never rung so true. Getting into the great outdoors is the best way to get a feel for the true roots of these lush green, centuries old countries. From endless views from the top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh to the mind-boggling Giant’s Causeway, pulling on those shoes and getting amongst it is the only way to go. Finished up with a slide of traditional Guiness Pie, of course.

Visas & Insurance

Visas are not required at all for members of EU or Schengen countries. Other nationalities may be restricted to stays under 90 days.

Why Cosmos is Different

At Cosmos, we’re experts in ‘thrillology’ - the art of bringing you an experience, time and time again. With over 50 years of ‘wow’ under our belts and no sign of slowing down. We know how to make tours that you’ll never forget; creating the experience you’ve always dreamed of, and showing you the ones you never even thought of. Our job is to take the planning and logistics off your hands, so you can live your dreams.